Filed under: Audi, Lifestyle, UK
Goodwood Festival of Speed Audi Sculpture - Click above for image gallery of more GFoS sculptures
The Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place this weekend, and every year the Earl of March, who manages the 12,000-acre Goodwood estate that hosts the event, commissions a giant art piece honoring that year’s featured marque. Audi is the featured marque this year, which is timely since the Ingolstadt-based automaker is also celebrating its centennial.
This year’s sculpture that was commissioned for Audi is a big swoosh of tire tracks with a 1937 Auto Union streamliner and new Audi R8 V10 suspended at either end. Standing 135-feet tall and weighing 40 tonnes, as they say in Britain, the piece is made entirely of steel to support itself without braces or cables. Gerry Judah is the designer, as he has been for Goodwood’s featured art installations since 1997 when he first designed one for Ferrari. This is also the second time he’s produced a piece for Audi, the first one being back in 1999.
It goes without saying that we all want to stick this in the flower bed in our front yard, but unfortunately you’ll only be able to see it if you’re in West Sussex this weekend to enjoy the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Check out more pics of this year’s Audi sculpture, as well as art pieces from prior years, in the gallery below.
[Source: Audi, Photos courtesy of Gerry Judah]
Continue reading Goodwood Festival of Speed featuring 135-foot monument to Audi
Goodwood Festival of Speed featuring 135-foot monument to Audi originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Goodwood Festival of Speed featuring 135-foot monument to Audi - UK Auto News
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 under Latest Car News.
Filed under: Aftermarket, Time Warp, Tuners, Sports/GTs, Jaguar, UK
Arden AJ18 - Click above to view in high-res
The thing about limited editions is that there are bound to be at least a few customers disappointed that they couldn’t get their hands on one. That’s the whole point, keeping demand higher than supply and thus ensuring a high price. So it’s a little unusual to see an automaker or aftermarket supplier going back and reopening the supply lines, especially if the model in question has already been replaced. But that’s exactly what British tuning house Arden has done with the AJ18.
Based on the previous-generation XK, Arden debuted this limited-edition track-inspired Jag coupe nearly ten years ago at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show, pegging production at just 13 units. A decade gone by, Arden has announced the availability of an additional five examples, bringing the total run up to 18 pieces. What sets the AJ18 apart from the stock XK8 is the carbon-composite aero kit, custom grilles and bumpers, narrow wing mirrors, giant rear wing and 20-inch Sportline rims hiding 370mm brake discs with 6-piston calipers mounted to a lowered Bilstein suspension.
We’d just as soon go out and buy a new XK, dynamically superior as it is to its successor in just about every way, but if you’ve already got a previous-generation model in your driveway and still regret missing your chance to upgrade it to the Arden AJ18, this will probably be your last chance. Probably.
[Source: Carscoop]
In Tune With the Past: Arden re-issues limited-edition AJ18 XK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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In Tune With the Past: Arden re-issues limited-edition AJ18 XK - UK Auto News
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 under Latest Car News.
Filed under: Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials, UK
The final days of MG were disastrous and disastrously expensive. The British government finally has an accounting of what happened, but it only adds to both sides of the disaster: the report took four years and £16 million ($26 million U.S.) for CPA firm BDO Stoy Howard to compile.
For now, various government figures are upset about the delay and the cost. BDO is reported to have spent more than £130,000 ($214,000 U.S.) on hotels and expenses, leading to charges of the firm “living like kings” while MG’s workers were living on government support. The report hasn’t been released yet, so no one knows what it says. When it is made public, if the MG story continues as it has, what’s actually in the report will probably be just as hard to swallow as the lead-up to it.
[Source: Sunday Mercury]
Findings from inquiry into demise of MG Rover finished… only took 4 years and $26M originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Findings from inquiry into demise of MG Rover finished… only took 4 years and $26M - UK Auto News
Posted on July 1st, 2009 under Latest Car News.
Filed under: Toys, Motorcycles, UK
Lego Triumph Daytona motorcycle - Click above to watch the video after the break
Further proof that you can literally fashion anything if given access to enough interconnecting Lego bricks is this Triumph Daytona 1200 motorcycle. The machine has apparently been on display for quite some time at Legoland Windsor in Berkshire, England and is obviously assembled from thousands of individual pieces. We especially like the detailed engine, which is complete with linkages for the carbs and throttle cables.
As cool as this creation is, how much better would it be with a fully functional Lego engine? Of course, having a full-scale building-block motorcycle would also require a matching helmet. May we suggest this one? Click past the break for a video of the LEGO Triumph Daytona on its display stand and click here for more automotive-themed Lego madness.
[Source: Asphalt and Rubber]
Continue reading VIDEO: Triumph Daytona motorcycle assembled from Lego bricks
VIDEO: Triumph Daytona motorcycle assembled from Lego bricks originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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VIDEO: Triumph Daytona motorcycle assembled from Lego bricks - UK Auto News
Posted on June 30th, 2009 under Latest Car News.
Filed under: Etc., UK
Every year during Wimbledon, St. Mary’s Church offers parking to fans attending the tennis tournament. Normally, the church opens an adjacent field for car parking, but this year St. Mary’s allowed tourney visitors to park their cars in the oldest portion of its cemetery — on top of actual graves — for £20.
Naturally, local residents haven’t thought highly of the practice. St. Mary’s said that the money would go to charity and “make a valuable contribution to the Church and Diocese.” However, it has since realized that perhaps letting people park their Land Rovers and BMWs above deceased parishioners — even if they’re long dead — isn’t the best way to raise money. Not even for charity. As such, the church has stopped using the actual plots as parking spots. Hat tip to Robin!
[Source: Daily Mail | Photo: Flickr, Jessica Mulley]
Don’t Tread On Me: U.K. church angers some by offering Wimbledon parking in cemetary originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Don’t Tread On Me: U.K. church angers some by offering Wimbledon parking in cemetary - UK Auto News
Posted on June 28th, 2009 under Latest Car News.
Filed under: Etc., UK, Humor
What do you get when you mix Clarkson, May, a Skoda, and the Catholic church? Controversy, of course. During a review of the Skoda Scout, May and Clarkson engaged in a bit of banter that mingled scouts — as in Boy Scouts — the church, and inappropriate touching. And when you “have a dig at two organizations that do a lot for the community,” formal complaints get filed to the BBC, you get the Scout Association gunning for you, and you make lots of people unhappy… except the 7.5 million people who watched the show. Ah, Top Gear…
[Source: This is London]
Jeremy Clarkson upsets Scouts, Catholic Church with Skoda commentary originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jeremy Clarkson upsets Scouts, Catholic Church with Skoda commentary - UK Auto News
Posted on June 27th, 2009 under Latest Car News.
Filed under: Videos, UK, Humor
The Chaser’s War on Everything fake Stig sketch — Click above to watch video
Here’s a fantastic challenge that the Top Gear team didn’t think up: if you walked around London dressed as the Stig, how many strangers would let you drive their cars? Aussie comedy show The Chaser’s War on Everything went to London to find out, in an attempt to find a cheaper way to travel. What ensued was a guy in a bad Stig getup poaching transport from a few Brits — and it only got better from there. Follow the jump to see the vid. Hat tip: Scott
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading VIDEO: Stig scam gets you around for free
VIDEO: Stig scam gets you around for free originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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VIDEO: Stig scam gets you around for free - UK Auto News
Posted on June 27th, 2009 under Latest Car News.
Filed under: Convertibles, Opel, Vauxhall, UK, Rendered Speculation
If you’re like us, you can’t help but smile at the breathless optimism and certainty that the folks at Auto Express have for not-yet-released models. The latest car to catch their rendering artist’s eye is the forthcoming Vauxhall Astra droptop.
According to AE, the new convertible Roadster variant will forgo the rear seats of the current TwinTop and instead adopt a more rakish two-seat design. The folding metal roof will reportedly integrate a pair of rollover fairings in its tonneau cover, and tighter overhangs with more aggressive ground effects.
Interestingly, AE claims that the Astra Roadster will not get a VXR performance variant, but it will receive the hot hatch’s 2.0-liter turbo engine, reportedly good for 270 bhp and a 0-60 mph time in six seconds. Lesser engines will apparently include a 1.4-liter turbo giving 150 bhp and a 170 bhp 2.0-liter CDTI diesel.
Due to General Motors selling off Vauxhall and its twin brand Opel to Magna, the likelihood of seeing such a model Stateside would appear to be even slimmer than normal. Either way, the U.K. publication says the world will have to wait a while for the topless Astra, as the automaker will first roll out the five-door, followed by the three-door and wagon models and later an MPV. Only after the rest of the lineup is revealed will Vauxhall break out the suntan lotion.
[Source AutoExpress]
Rendered Speculation: Vauxhall Astra droptop to get more rakish originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rendered Speculation: Vauxhall Astra droptop to get more rakish - UK Auto News
Posted on June 24th, 2009 under Latest Car News.
Filed under: Concept Cars, Euro, Supercars, Citroen, UK
GTbyCITROËN concept in London - Click above for high-res image gallery
The almost impossibly long and low GTbyCITROËN, which started life as a concept car for the wildly popular Gran Turismo gaming franchise (part of Polyphony Digital Inc. and Sony’s Playstation empire), has made its first real-life foray through London in a recreation of the video game’s street circuit.
Though originally designed as nothing more than a model to drum up interest in the quirky French automaker and the oft-delayed next installment of Gran Turismo, there has reportedly been so much interest in the GT that there is actually a very real chance that Citroen will put the supercar into limited production, possibly powered by a rumbling V8 engine from Detroit.
While this thinly-disguised photo opportunity passage through Piccadilly surely took place at a snail’s pace, we can only hope the French supercar aqcuits itself well as it storms up the upcoming 1.16-mile Goodwood Hill as part of the Sunday Times Supercar Run at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which starts on July 3. Click past the break for the press release and below for a high-res gallery.
[Source: Citroen]
Continue reading Stunning GTbyCITROËN concept car runs Gran Turismo London city streets course in real life!
Stunning GTbyCITROËN concept car runs Gran Turismo London city streets course in real life! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Stunning GTbyCITROËN concept car runs Gran Turismo London city streets course in real life! - UK Auto News
Posted on June 23rd, 2009 under Latest Car News.
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupes, Videos, Supercars, Ferrari, UK, Special/Limited Editions
Schumacher’s Ferrari FXX hot lap - Click above to watch video after the jumpAlright, so whether you’ve seen it already or not, most of the enthusiast world is aware that Top Gear has revealed its mystery “tame racing driver” as none other than F1 maestro Michael Schumacher. That unhelmeting came as part of the new season’s first show which aired in the U.K. on Sunday, and we now have a clip from that show of Schumi’s own FXX tackling the Top Gear track. How how the World Champion’s personal Prancing Horse stack up? Click on the through the jump to find out.
[Source: Top Gear via You Tube]
Continue reading VIDEO: Schumacher’s Ferrari FXX blitzes the Top Gear test track
VIDEO: Schumacher’s Ferrari FXX blitzes the Top Gear test track originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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VIDEO: Schumacher’s Ferrari FXX blitzes the Top Gear test track - UK Auto News
Posted on June 23rd, 2009 under Latest Car News.
